Goshen man dies on family vacation

Goshen businessman and inventor Roger Burger drowned Tuesday while on a vacation in Belize with his wife and son.

Burger was one of two drowning victims from the same snorkeling party. An Italian woman also drowned. Burger, his wife Becky, and son, Zach, were part of a party of tourists who left Caye Caulker Tuesday morning to experience Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, one of Belize's top destinations for snorkelers and divers, according to the "San Pedro Sun," a Belize newspaper. According to the newspaper account, Burger, the Italian tourist and others were caught in rough seas and strong currents and separated from the group. Police rescued the other divers after receiving a distress call at about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Two survivors were hospitalized with cuts and abrasions.

Burger will be remembered for his sense of humor and quiet intelligence, according to his friends.

Burger grew up in Goshen, the son of Martha and the late Marvin Burger. He was a graduate of Goshen High School in 1975 and of Rose Hulman University in Terre Haute.

He was involved in electronics sales and repairs and inventions over the years and most recently operated Inventure, an electronics engineering and manufacturing business on Goshen's north side. He was married to the former Becky McCall and they have one son, Zach.

Goshen Mayor Allan Kauffman said he has known Burger for many years.

"We both grew up in the Goshen Church of the Brethren," Kauffman said. "I've known him from the days when we would hop freight trains. He was a pretty big cut-up when he was in school.

"But when he was in elementary and junior high, he was picking up old TV sets and electrical appliances and tearing them apart.

"Roger is going to be missed," Mayor Kauffman said. "It is a reminder of how fleeting life is."

"I would want people to know what a remarkable and intelligent man he was," said classmate Sharon Welsh. "He was a true life-long friend and fellow Kiwanian. He could make you laugh. He could bring joy to a room, because you wondered what he was going to say next."

"It deeply touches my heart to lose such a dear friend. It is such a loss to our community," Welsh said Wednesday. "I still can't believe it. I feel bad for his family. What a guy."

Another lifelong friend, Pastor Jim Schrock at First Baptist Church, said "we grew up together. I remember how we rode bikes along the railroad tracks south of town. It seems like yesterday, but it was probably 40 years ago."

"We were childhood friends. I have known him as long as I can remember. We probably started in Cub Scouts," Schrock said. "We had so much fun together. He just loved to have fun. He was the smartest guy I knew. He will be greatly missed.

"It is a real reminder that we don't have any guarantees of tomorrow," Schrock added.

Greg Keim, another Goshen classmate of Burger's, will also remember Burger for his sense of humor.

"He was master of ceremonies for our class's 25th reunion and he had everyone in stitches telling stories," Keim said. "Many were about the things he did while we were in school."

Brian Stutzman, who graduated from GHS with Burger, said he was shocked by the news.

"Roger was a great guy," Stutzman said. "He was very smart. He had the wherewithal that many guys don't. He had the world at his fingertips, but he was so modest. He had married Becky and they had things going so good."

David Daugherty, president of the Goshen Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber's leadership class would visit Inventure and Burger would speak to those involved in that activity.

"Roger did a great, great job with that. He will definitely be missed," Daughterty said.

"We are really in shock," said Daryl Hochstetler, an engineer at Inventure, when reached late Wednesday. He said he has been involved with Burger's companies for 18 years.

"Roger wanted to change lives outside and inside the business. He did that," Hochstetler said.